Chapter 41: You have me, Haper.
Haper’s POV
Justin didn’t say anything right away. He crossed the room in two long strides, gently took the phone from my trembling hands, and placed it face down on the nightstand.
Then he looked at me. Not at the messages. At me. His eyes searched my face, soft with concern.
"Come here," he said quietly.
I didn’t realize I was already crying until he pulled me against his chest. I buried my face in his shirt, embarrassed by how quickly I’d fallen apart.
"I’m sorry," I whispered.
"What are you apologizing for?" he asked, his voice low.
"I don’t know," I admitted, feeling overwhelmed.
Justin rested his chin lightly on top of my head and rubbed slow circles against my back. "Harper." His voice was calm and steady. "The only person who should be ashamed here is him. He abandoned you. He walked away. And now he suddenly thinks he has the right to barge back into your life and make you afraid?" He shook his head slowly. "No. Don’t let him steal your peace."
I laughed bitterly against his chest. "That’s easier said than done."
"I know," Justin said. He pulled back just enough to look into my eyes. "I know because I have been there." He paused, something shifting in his expression. "My mom died. I spent years angry at life. I’ve watched my own family fight over her legacy like vultures." He let out a slow breath. "So believe me when I tell you, the darkest part of the night always comes just before morning."
I swallowed hard but said nothing.
"This storm won’t last forever," Justin continued, gesturing gently between us. "You’ve been carrying your entire family on your shoulders. You’re juggling school, work, your documentary, hospital bills, your mom’s treatment, your brother, your sister." He smiled softly. "And somehow you’re still standing." His fingers squeezed mine. "So listen to me. We’re not fighting alone anymore. You have me now."
His voice never wavered as he said it, and something about that steadiness settled deep inside my chest.
"I know we’re young," he added. "I know people are probably going to say we’re moving too fast. I don’t care." He shrugged simply. "I’m in this. With you. So if your father wants to send messages, we’ll deal with it. If life throws another problem at us, we’ll deal with it. If tomorrow falls apart, we’ll deal with that too." He smiled. "Together."
I stared at him. "How," I started, laughing through my tears, "how are you this mature?"
Justin blinked. Then he grinned. "Life did this," he said simply.
The answer was so honest it made my throat tighten all over again. "I think," I said, looking away shyly, "I’m slowly falling for you."
Justin placed a dramatic hand over his chest. "Oh?" He stepped closer, grinning widely. "I always thought I was the hopeless romantic. But look at you." He shrugged with exaggerated innocence. "I mean, can you really blame yourself? I’m ridiculously handsome."
I rolled my eyes. "There you are."
"What?" he asked, the picture of innocence.
"That enormous ego," I said flatly.
"I worked hard for this ego," Justin replied, completely serious.
I laughed, a real laugh this time, and Justin smiled like that was exactly what he’d been waiting for.
"Oh!" He snapped his fingers suddenly. "I almost forgot."
"What?" I asked.
"I never sent your girlfriend allowance for the last two weeks," he said, already pulling out his phone.
My eyes widened. "What?"
A second later, my phone chimed. I frowned and opened my banking app. The number on the screen made me freeze.
Ten thousand dollars.
"Justin," I breathed, looking up at him. "There’s no reason for you to—"
"There is," he said immediately. "I told you. I’m here."
"This is too much," I insisted, shaking my head.
"No, it isn’t," he said gently, stepping closer. "I can’t erase everything you’ve been through. I can’t give you back the years you spent worrying about bills. I can’t undo what your father did. I can’t make your mom healthy overnight." His thumb brushed away the last tear clinging to my cheek. "But I can make sure you never feel like you’re carrying all of it by yourself again."
Silence stretched between us. Warm, comfortable, safe.
Then, as if realizing he’d become far too serious, he smirked. "And besides," he added, "I’m supposed to spoil my girlfriend a little."
I laughed despite myself. "So," I said, holding up my phone, "how exactly am I supposed to repay you?"
Justin pretended to think, tapping his chin. "Hmm." A mischievous smile spread slowly across his face. "You can spreasd our legs wide open now and allow me eat you out."
I laughed and nudged his shoulder. "Coward."
"I prefer the word gentleman," he said proudly.
"Oh, is that what we’re calling it now?" I asked.
"Absolutely." He offered me his hand. "Come on."
"Where?" I asked, eyeing him.
"The kitchen," he said.
I looked at him suspiciously. "You do know how to cook, right?"
Justin looked deeply offended. "I’ll have you know," he said, straightening to his full height, "I’m a pancake chef."
I burst out laughing. "A pancake chef?"
"The best," he confirmed, completely serious.
"I’m suddenly concerned for your kitchen," I said.
"My kitchen is perfectly safe," Justin replied.
"The pancakes?" I pressed.
"They’ve won imaginary awards," he said proudly.
I slipped my hand into his, still laughing. "Well then, I guess I’d better see if the legendary pancake chef lives up to his reputation."
As he led me toward the kitchen, I glanced down at the balance still glowing on my screen. Ten thousand dollars. No one had ever looked at my burdens and volunteered to carry part of the weight. People usually saw my struggles and walked away. Justin had seen them and stepped closer.
I quietly closed my banking app and looked at the man walking ahead of me, still explaining the science of making perfect pancakes with the kind of conviction usually reserved for TED talks.
A silent prayer escaped somewhere deep inside my chest.
Please...
Let this be real.
Let this be the one good thing life doesn’t take away from me.
Because for the first time in a very long time...
I wasn’t facing tomorrow alone.
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